Cali Challenger: Joao Souza returns to defend 2012 title
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The World
No. 121 Joao Souza will be looking to defend last year’s title and seek for his
6th career trophy on Challenger Tour. Cali’s altitude it 3290 ft.
above sea level and Joao Souza’s aggressive game becomes even more dangerous in
these conditions. Hasn’t been a good year so far for Souza, his best results
were semi-final at São Paulo, Salinas and Pereira. Even so, the player known as
“Feijão” (bean) is always a very difficult opponent to face with very powerful
serve and forehand.
Maximo
Gonzalez is other of the players with good chances to claim the title here at
Cali, the Argentinean comes from a ruthless performance at US Open where he
reached the main draw and was able to defeat Jerzy Janowicz in straight sets.
Maximo is a very experienced player with 11 Challenger career titles on clay.
His consistent baseline play and foot speed are some of his best qualities and
after his outstanding performance in New York this could be the chance for
Gonzalez to claim another title.
Facundo
Arguello is a very talented player, he’s still searching for first career title
on Challenger tournaments, but this year has already reached a final in
Savannah losing to Ryan Harrison. It’s always a pleasure to see Arguello’s
forehand, however the 21 years old Argentinean is a very inconsistent player
and tends to choke on important moments. Arguello has talent to be higher on
ranking and is always a player to look for.
Wayne
Odesnik is one of the few American players who prefer to compete on clay, has a
very solid game from the baseline and tries to take control of the point with
his topspin forehand. After his one year ban for importing human growth hormone
into Australia, the 27th years old is looking to make his comeback
to the top 100 and this year has already reached three finals at Bucaramanga,
Sarasota and Furth. Odesnik doesn’t have a very powerful game, but his
consistency, experience and forehand make him a very dangerous player.
There are
other interesting players at this tournament like the former World No. 48
Eduardo Schwank and the World No. 3 on the junior’s ranking Gianluigi Quinzi,
but I predict for this tournament the victory of Maximo Gonzalez, Wayne Odesnik
or once again the triumph of Joao Souza
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